Floating caliper block for coin chute

ABSTRACT

A coin chute includes a coin-gauging member in the form of a floating measuring block disposed in interfering relationship with and axially or longitudinally movable in response to engagement by &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;authentic&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; coins or tokens. A slide-latch is pivotally mounted relative to the frame and is movable between a normal, slide-locking position and a slide-unlocking position in response to advancement of an actuator arm which is secured to, carried by and projects longitudinally from the measuring block.

United States Patent Hall [451 Oct. 14, 1975 [54] FLOATING CALIPER BLOCK FOR COIN 3,434,579 3/1969 Hall 194/92 CHUTE 3,732,962 5 1973 Hall 194/92 [75] Inventor: Michell A. Hall, Fort Thomas, Ky. Primary Examiner Robert B Reeves [73'] Assignee: Monarch Tool & Manufacturing Assistant ExaminerH- Gram Skaggs Company, Covington, Ky. Attorney, Agent, or Firm l. Warren Kinney, Jr.

[22] Filed: Aug. 2, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 494,225 A coin chute includes a coin-gauging member in the form of a floating measuring block disposed in inter- 52 US. Cl. 194/92; 194/102 fering relatioflship with and axially 9r longitudinally [51] Int. Cl. G07F 5/00 movable in. response to engagement by authentic [58] Field of Search 194/55-60, coins or n A Slide-latch ispivotally mounted 194/97 R, 97 A 99, 102, 69 78 82, 92 9 ative to the frame and is movable between a normal, slide-locking position and a slide-unlocking position in [56] References Cited response to advancement of an actuator arm which is UNITED STATES PATENTS secured to, carried by and projects longitudinally from the measuring block. 2,040,l5l 5/1936 Moore 194/55 3,434,578 3/1969 Hall 194/102 27 CIaImS, 23 D 'a lng Flgllles v I, m '51 1 23 -..--.m----------------- i 3- 5 US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 4 of4 3,912,063

FIG 20 94 30 20 V/////// //E Z I /I L L l FLOATING CALIPER BLOCK FOR COIN CI-IUTE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to caliper means for use with coin chutes of the type having a'reciprocable, coin-receptive slide-plate which is movable to advance authentic" coin-tokens from an initial, fully retracted position to a final, fully advanced position, wherein the caliper means is operable to preclude full advancement of the slide-plate except when the proper amount and size coins or coin-like tokens are inserted in the slideplate and advanced therewith.

2. Description of the Prior Art Heretofore calipering means have been utilized in combination with coin chutes for rendering said devices inoperative when attempts are made to actuate such devices utilizing spurious coins or tokens.

Such calipering means have been fixed against axial movement with the slide plate and coins or tokens carried thereby, such as, by way of example, illustrated in the following US. Patents: Nos. 3,064,788; 3,137,378; 3,200,926; 3,204,742; 3,361,241; 3,434,579; and 3,732,962.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention differs from the caliper means of the prior art in that the coin-gauging member is axially or longitudinally movable with respect to the frame in response to engagement thereof by coins or coin-like tokens advanced with the slide plate.

The caliper means of the present invention is secured to and carried by the frame of a coin chute of the type having a coin-receptive, reciprocable slide-plate and includes a coin-gauging member which is disposed in interfering relationship with the advancing coin-tokens and axially or longitudinally movable in response to engagement thereby. A latch is pivotally mounted relative to the frame and movable between a normal, slidelocking position which precludes the full advancement of the slide-plate and a slide-unlocking position. A latch-actuator secured to, carried by and projecting from the coin-gauging member is operable in response to axial or longitudinal movement of the coin-gauging member to move the latch from the slide-locking position to the slide-unlocking position.

In the preferred embodiment, the coin-gauging mem-- her is adapted to receive and gauge one, or a plurality of coin-tokens which are simultaneously advanced through the caliper means in side-by-side relationship. The gauging member comprises a floating block having a coin-token receptive V-notch in e'ach'of the coin-' engaging edges thereof, wherein the advancing cointokens enter respective notches to a predetermined depth dependent upon the thickness and diameter thereof. When each coin token has properly engaged the corresponding V-notch, the-gauging member is advanced with the coins. thereby advancing the latchactuator and moving the latch from a slide platelocking position to a slide plate-unlocking position.

The gauging'member is operable to detect the presence of counterfeit or spurious slugs which are not of the same dimension the authentic or proper cointokens, wherein the slugs prematurely or belatedly engage the gauging member thereby prematurely or belatedly actuating the latch, effectively precluding the full advancement of the slide-plate.

Specifically, the slide plate includes a latch-keeper intermediate the length thereof, wherein the latch is normally urged into the path thereof when in the normal, slide-locking position. When proper coin-tokens are advanced with the slide-plate, the gauging member is engaged and axially advanced whereupon the latchactuator is operable to move the latch to a slideunlocking position, wherein the latch is withdrawn from the path of the latch-keeper and the slide-plate is free to move to the fully advanced position. When slugs are detected by the gauging member, the actuator prematurely or belatedly actuates the latch, wherein the latch is in the normal, slide-locking position when the latch-keeper passes through the latch control area. Thus, the latch engages the latch-keeper and precludes further advancement of the slide-plate.

The caliper means of the present invention is readily adjustable to accomodate a plurality of different size of I coin-tokens including those which are to be inserted in the slide-plate in stacked, face-to-face relationship.

The caliper means has fewer moving parts than caliper means of the prior art and is, therefore, less expensive to construct and assemble. The design of the caliper means permits ready servicing in the field without special tools or skill.

The gauging member of the caliper means is a floating measuring or calipering block which is free to move in all directions relative to the frame of the coin chute, reducing the possibility of jamming or clogging the coin chute with foreign objects and/or counterfeit slugs.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved caliper means for use with a coin chute of the type having a reciprocable slide-plate, wherein the coin gauging member comprises a floating caliper block which is axially or longitudinally movable relative to the frame of the coin chute when engaged by advancing coin tokens and which is free to move in any direction relative to the frame in order to minimize jamming or clogging of the coin chute due to misuse thereof.

It is, further, an object of the present invention to provide a caliper means which is easily and readily adjustable to accept any number of coins in stacked and- /or side-by-side relationship.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be readily apparent from the accompanying drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a top elevational view of a coin chute incorporating the features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the underside of the coin chute of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, wherein the slideplate is in an advanced position.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, wherein the slideplate is further advanced to a position just prior to the release of the coin-tokens.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken at line 55 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, wherein the slideplate is advanced to the position of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, wherein the slideplate is advanced to the position of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken at line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken at line 99 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, wherein the coin chute has been modified to accept three coin-tokens.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9, wherein the coin chute has been modified to accept four coin-tokens.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4, wherein the coin chute has been modified to receive a single coin-token.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, wherein a counterfeit or spurious slug has been inserted in the coin chute.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating the position of the latch mechanism when a slug and the slide-plate are advanced to the position of FIG. 4.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the gauging member and latch actuator.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 8, greatly enlarged for clarity of detail and understanding.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 5 greatly enlarged for clarity of detail and understanding.

FIGS. l823 illustrate the interrelationship of the latch-actuator, latch, slide-plate and latch-keeper when the slide-plate is moved to a variety of advanced positions, greatly enlarged for clarity of detail and understanding.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A typical coin chute 18 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes slide-plate 20 reciprocably mounted within guides 2l2l of frame 22. The slide-plate is movable between a fully retracted or initial position (FIG. 1) and a fully advanced, operable position wherein handle 24 is adjacent mounting bracket 26, as illustrated in phantom. The outer end 23 of the slide-plate is adapted to be connected to or to engage a mechanism for actuating the vending of an item or service when the slideplate is moved to the fully advanced position. The slideplate is provided with one or more apertures 28 and 30 to receive coin-tokens such as coins Cl and C2 which are to be advanced therewith. Generally, the apertures are sized to accurately accommodate the coins. Pusher bars 3232 (see FIGS. 5 and 8) are secured to the underside of the slide-plate and provide means for advancing the coins when the slide-plate is actuated.

Where desired, a pair of trip levers 34-34 may be provided in axial alignment with apertures 28 and 30 for detecting the presence of coin-tokens as the slideplate is advanced in the direction of arrow A. As illustrated in FIG. 5, each trip lever is pivotally mounted at 36 relative to frame 22 and includes projecting tip 38 which is resiliently urged into contacting relationship with slide-plate 20 by compression spring 40. As readily noted from the drawings, as slide-plate 20 is advanced toward trip levers 34, the extending tips 38 thereof are urged by springs 40 into apertures 28 and 30. The front edge 42 of each aperture is adapted to be engaged by tips 38, wherein further advancement of the slide plate is precluded. The presence of coins Cl and C2 in apertures 28 and 30 prevents tips 38 from engaging edges 42, and therefore, permits further advancement of slide-plate 20.

Another feature generally incorporated in coin chutes of the type illustrated includes a pawl and ratchet mechanism 44 or the like which precludes re traction of the slide-plate once actuated, but prior to movement thereof to the fully advanced position. Generally, mechanism 44 is not operable until the slide plate has successfully passed trip levers 34. It should, of course, be understood that these and other features may be included in a coin chute incorporating the features of the present invention without limiting the scope thereof defined by the claims appended hereto.

The caliper means of the present invention is generally designated by the numeral 50 and is illustrated in the normal, slide-locking position in FIG. 5, wherein the coin-gauging member 56 is free to move axially relative to frame 22 and is disposed in interfering relationship with the advancing coins Cl and C2. Latchactuator 80 is secured to and projects outwardly from the coin-gauging member and is axially movable therewith. Latch 72 is hingedly mounted relative to frame 22 at 7474 and is disposed in communication with latch actuator 80 wherein axial movement thereof pivots the latch about hinge 7474 and thereby moves the latch from the normal, slide-locking position of FIG. 5 to the slide-unlocking position of FIG. 6.

Guide plate 51 is secured to frame 22 and is substantially parallel to slide-plate 20. The guide plate includes channel divider 52 intermediate the plate and frame 22 providing means for guiding the coin-tokens into separate channels as they are advanced through the caliper means. The coin-tokens enter the caliper means at 54 (FIG. 5), wherein an inclined runway guides the inserts from slide-plate 20 to plate 51 as the inserts are advanced by bars 32. The coin-gauging member is reciprocably secured to plate 51, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and is resiliently urged toward edge 58 thereof by biasing means such as, by way of example, tension spring 60 which is secured at opposite ends to the plate at 71 and to the gauging member at 73.

The gauging member of the preferred embodiment comprises a floating measuring or calipering block having a pair of coin token-engaging edges defined by the generally V-shaped notches 62,62, one each disposed in interfering relationship with the advancing coins Cl and C2, respectively, as particularly illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, l5 and 16. Adjustable guides 64 and 66 are mounted in plate 51 via screws at either side of gauging member 56 and are in substantial transverse alignment with seat 58. Each adjustable guide includes an upwardly projecting abutment member or finger 68 which establishes a predetermined spacing between each adjustable guide and the corresponding V-notch wherein each space is adapted to accommodate a cointoken of selected, predetermined size. It will be noted that this spacing may be altered by transversely adjusting the position of the guides relative to gauging member 56.

As particularly illustrated in FIG. 9, the spacing between each finger 68and the corresponding V-notch 62 permits a particular, predetermined coin-token to enter the V-notch to a certain depth, depending upon the diameter and thickness thereof. Thus, an authentic coin-token will engage and axially advance gauging member 56 relative to frame 22 at a precise, predetermined and ascertainable time, whereas a spurious or counterfeit slug, not of the same size as the authentic I coin-token, will prematurely or belatedly advance member 56 as the slide-plate 20 is advanced in the direction of arrow A.

Latch 72 is a generally L-shaped member having a substantially horizontal or axially projecting leg 75 pivotally mounted relative to frame 22 at hinge 7474 (FIG. 2) and a substantially vertical leg or tab 76 (FIG. 5) which projects through opening 78 provided in the frame and which is normally disposed ,in contacting, abutting engagement with the underside of slide-plate '20. The latch includes a third leg in the form of closed loop 84 which is secured to and depends from the sub stant'ially horizontal leg 75 of the latch, wherein an upwardly directed force applied to loop 84 will urge the projecting tab 76 into the underside of slide-plate arid wherein a horizontal or axial force in the directionof arrow A will pivot the latch counterclockwise (as shown) about hinge 7474, and thereby withdraw leg 76 out of abutting engagement with slide-plate 20. In the preferred embodiment, latch 22 is pivotally mounted at 7474 in block 94 which is secured to frame 22 by mounting screws 95. A pair of stop members 96, 96 project outward from block 94 (FIG. 2) and provide positive stops ensuring that the latch will not pivot downwardly beyond the influence of latch actuator 80.

Latch actuator 80 is secured to, carried by and projects axially outward from gauging member 56 and terminates in an outer or free end 82 which is disposed in continuous engagement with loop 84 or latch 72. Generally, the latch-actuator comprises a stiff, wirelike filament which is transversely resilient or springlike and longitudinally rigid. Sliding bracket or guide 88 is secured to frame 22 and slidably receives latchactuator 80, resiliently urging leg 76 of latch 72 into abutting engagement with the underside of slide-plate 20. A releasable abutment 86 is adjacent to and spaced inward from free end 82 of the actuator and is adapted to engage loop 84 when the latch-actuator is advanced in the direction of arrow A, in response to like movement of gauging member 56, thereby pivoting latch 72 about hinge 7474 and withdrawing leg 76 out of abutment with the underside of slide-plate 20. When the latch is pivoted into stops 9696, abutment 86 releases loop 84 and actuator 80 again resiliently urges leg 76 into abutting engagement with slide-plate 20 (FIG. 7).

The slide-plate is provided with a latch-keeper such as, by way of example, the elongate, transversely extending slot or opening 90 having keeper-defining edge 92. When the latch is urged into abutting engagement with the underside of slide-plate 20, and the slide-plate is advanced to the position wherein slot 90 is in communication with latch 72, leg 76 thereof is projected into slot 90 where it positively engages keeper-defining edge 92, and precludes further advancement of the slide-plate (FIG. 14).

The latch-actuator and the gauging member of the preferred embodiment are illustrated in perspective in FIG. 15, wherein filament 80 comprises an elongated portion 103 having opposite ends 82 and 104. End 104 is defined by radius 113, substantially straight leg 114 projecting from the radius and having a free end which terminates in a spring-receptive hook 73. End 82 is defined by a slight bend 124 which provides a second elongate portion 125, bight 130 and the open, V; shaped hook defined by legs 126 and 128.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the gauging member comprises a sliding block 56 having opposite, upstanding side edges 115 and 117, upper edge 110 and lower or bottom edge 111, wherein the front surface 119 and rear surface 121 thereof are disposed substantially normal to straight portion 103 of filament 80. Upper edge 110 defines a bearing surface which is adapted to abut and slide upon frame 22 and includes channel 112 intermediate the length thereof adapted to secure latch-actuator adjacent end 104. Integral bracket 116 slidably receives leg 114 of the actuator and maintains the sliding block and filament in fixed, assembled relationship with one another. Leg 114 terminates in book 73, which overhangs bottom edge 111 of the measuring block and is adapted to receive looped end 6101 spring 60. As illustrated in FIG. 17, bracket 88 is secured to and depends from frame 22 and includes guide 123 which slidably receives the elongate portion 103 of filament 80, whereby the bracket resiliently urges bearing surface of the gauging member into abutting engagement with frame 22. The second elongate portion 125 of filament 80 establishes continuous engagement with loop 84 of the latch and urges leg 76 thereof into abutting engagement with the underside of slide-plate 20 (FIG. 18).

In the manufacture and assembly of the latchactuator and gauging member, it should be noted that a filament of proper length may be formed at end 82 and radius 113;, after which leg 114 may be inserted in bracket 116. Generally, it is desirable that the edges of channel 112 be peened or otherwise closed to maintain the actuator and gauging member in fixed, assembled relationship with one another. It should, of course, be understood that the actuator may be suitably secured directly to rear face 121 where desired. After assembly of the gauging member and actuator, hook 73 is formed at the tip of end 104.

The opposite edges 115 and 117 of the sliding block define a pair of coin-receptive edges each defined by a V-shaped notch 62 comprising a pair of converging tapers l 18 and 120 which terminate in an elongate, transversely extending throat 122, wherein each V-notch is adapted to receive and engage the peripheral edge of a coin-token when inserted into the V-shaped notch to a certain depth dependent upon the thickness and diameter thereof. Thus, when a coin-token is advanced sufficiently to engage each coin-receptive notch 62 of the sliding block. 56, the gauging member and latch actuator and axially advanced with respect to frame 22.

It will be noted that the gauging member is secured only to latch-actuator 80 and spring 60. Therefore, the gauging member is not only axially movable with respect to the frame but is free to move in any direction relative to the frame and is an essentially floating member. This is particularly advantageous if and when the caliper means becomes clogged or jammed with foreign objects and/or counterfeit coin-tokens, wherein access may be had to the channels defined in mounting block 51 by moving the floating gauging member out of interfering relationship therewith without the use of any tools. Further, the floating characteristics of the gauging member permit many foreign elements to freely move through the calipering means and be discharged therefrom without limiting the gauging characteristics thereof,

In operation of a typical coin chute including the calipering means of the present invention, slide-plate 20 is initially in the fully retracted position of FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 8, wherein coins Cl and C2 are inserted in apertures 28 and 30, respectively. The slide-plate and coins are advanced in the direction of arrow A, wherein trip levers 34, 34 detect the presence of a coin in each of the apertures and permit further advancement of the slide-plate, as previously described.

As the slide plate is advanced in the direction of arrow A, pusher bars 32-32 advance each of the coins toward the inclined runway 54 (FIG. wherein the coins are dropped through the frame 22 and onto the upper surface of guide plate 51. The pusher bars advance the coins along the guide plate and into respective channels defined by the space between the gauging member and the respective adjusting guide means 64, 66 (FIG. 9).

Prior to engagement of the corresponding V-notches 62 by coins C1 and C2, respectively, actuator 80 and latch 72 are in the position illustrated in FIG. 18, wherein leg 128 of end 82 engages loop 84 of the latch and resiliently urges tip 150 of leg 76 into abutting engagement with the underside of slide-plate 20. Once the peripheral edge of each coin has engaged the respective notch 62, gauging member 56 will axially advance with the coins and the slide-plate in the direction of arrow A (FIGS. 3 and 6).

When coins Cl and C2 are authentic and, therefore, are of the proper size, the guaging member will advance the actuator to the position shown in FIG. 19, wherein rising edge 130 of bight 86 will engage loop 84, pivot latch 72 counterclockwise as shown, and withdraw tip 150 out of abutting engagement with slideplate 20, permitting aperture 90 of the slide-plate to pass unrestricted through the area controlled by the latch. As the slide-plate is further advanced in the direction of arrow A, the coins advance the gauging member and actuator to the position illustrated in FIG. 20, wherein latch 72 is disposed in abutting relationship with stops 96 permitting peak 134 of bight 86 to move beyond loop 84. As the slide-plate is further advanced, falling edge 132 of the bight engages loop 84 and the upwardly directed force provided by the resilient filament urges tip 150 into abutting engagement with slideplate (FIG. 21). When authentic coin-tokens are inserted in apertures 28 and 30, keeper-defining edge 92 of aperture 90 will be advanced beyond the arc struck by the pivoting latch 72 at the time when loop 84 is engaged by falling edge 132 of bight 86.

The slide-plate is advanced to the final position, and coins Cl and C2 are advanced therewith by bars 32,32 until the coins are sufficiently beyond front edge 98 of the mounting plate to be discharged by the force of gravity from the coin chute (FIG. 7). When the coins are discharged from the caliper means, spring 60 returns the gauging member and latch-actuator to the position of FIGS. 3, 5 and 18, wherein leg 128 thereof engages loop 84 and resiliently urges tip 150 of leg 76 into abutting engagement with the underside of slide-plate 20. The slide-plate may be withdrawn to the fully retracted position of FIG. 1 without respect to the position of projecting leg 76 of the latch.

When a spurious or counterfeit slug S is deposited in at least one of the coin-receptive apertures and is not of the precise dimensions of an authentic coin-token, the caliper means is operable to detect the presence thereof and to preclude full advancement of the slideplate 20. Specifically, when the counterfeit slug is of a dimension larger than that required to properly actuate latch 72 (FIGS. 13, 14 and 22), gauging member 56 will be prematurely engaged and advanced by the advancing slug, thereby advancing rising edge of bight 86 into engagement with loop 84 prior to the instant when keeper-defining edge of slot passes through the latch control area. The advancing slug advances the gauging member and actuator to such an extent that peak 134 of bight 86 passes beyond loop 84 and the loop is engaged by the falling edge 132 and tip 150 is resiliently urged into slide-plate 20 prior to the time when keeperdefining edge 92 of the slot passes beyond the arc struck by projecting leg 76 (FIG. 22). Thus, leg 76 is disposed in interfering relationship with and abuttingly engages keeper-defining edge 92 as the slide-plate is advanced in the direction of arrow A, thereby effectively precluding advancement of the slide-plate to operable position.

When a counterfeit slug is of a dimension smaller than that required to properly actuate latch 72, gauging member 56 is belatedly advanced by the advancing slug and leg 128 of the actuator is in engagement with loop 84 when aperture 90 passes through the latch control area (FIG. 23). Tip 150 of leg 76 is disposed in interfering relationship with the advancing keeper-defining edge 92 and therefore, effectively precludes further advancement of the slide-plate.

Thus, it can be seen that latch 72 is moved to the slide-unlocking position only when authentic cointokens have been inserted in apertures 28 and 30 of the slide-plate and advanced therewith and the caliper means of the present invention is effective to preclude the full advancement of the slide-plate in response to the presence of counterfeit or spurious slugs which have been inserted in the coin chute.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, the caliper means 50 of the present invention is adjustable to accommodate any combination of coin-tokens. Thus, as prices of vended items and/or services fluctuate, the required changeover may be made in the field by installing the proper slide-plate in the coin chute and adjusting the space between each finger 68 and the corresponding V-notch of gauging member 56. As particularly illustrated in FIG. 10, by transversely moving guide 66 outward from gauging member 56, one channel may be enlarged to properly accommodate two face-to-face, stacked coins C2 and C3. Essentially, the spacing between finger 68 of guide member 56 and the corresponding V-notch 62 is adjusted such that the stacked coins C2 and C3 will enter the corresponding V-notch to a depth sufficient to properly engage and advance gauging member 56. Guide 68 remains unchanged and defines a channel which accommodates a single coin C1. Thus, three authentic coin-tokens are required to properly advance the gauging member 56 with respect to frame 22 and unlock the slide-plate 20. Of course, the caliper means can be adjusted to accommodate four coins C1, C4, and C2, C3 (FIG. 11) or any other combination thereof by adjusting guides 64 and 66 in a similar manner.

Further, the caliper means may be modified shown in FIG. 12 to accommodate one or more coin-tokens which are to be inserted in a single aperture of the slide-plate and advanced through the caliper means in a single channel, wherein guide 64 is removed from the caliper means and block is inserted in its place. As a matter of convenience, mounting screw 70 may be utilized to secure block 100 in proper relationship with gauging member 56. Edge 102 of block 100 is disposed in continuous engagement with the corresponding V- notch of the gauging member and maintains the proper spaced relationship between the remaining guide 66 and the gauging member as coin-tokens are advanced through the caliper means. Thus, authentic coin-tokens advancing through the caliper means in the single channel defined by guide 66 and gauging member 56 will properly advance the gauging member with respect to frame 22 and move the latch to the slide-unlocking position, thereby permitting full advancement of the slideplate to the operable position.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that l have provided a new and improved caliper means for use with a coin chute of the typehaving a reciprocable slideplate, wherein the caliper means includes a floating coin-gauging member which is axially movable relative to the frame of the coin chute in response to engagement thereof by axially advancing authentic cointokens to unlock the slide-plate and permit the full advancement thereof. The caliper means is adjustable to accommodate any number and/or size coin-tokens which may be advanced in single or multiple channels through the coin chute.

Whatis claimed is: g

1. In a coin chute of the type which includes a frame; a coin-token receptive slide-plate reciprocably carried by the frame for longitudinal movement from retracted to advanced positions; a slide-plate latch controlling the advanced-position movement of the slide plate; a coin-token gauging member controlling the operational characteristics of said latch; and a latch actuator, wherein:

the coin-token gauging member is disposed in interfering relationship with and is longitudinally movable from a fully retracted position in response to engagement by a coin-token carried by the slide plate;

said latch is pivotally mounted relative to said frame for movement between a normal, slide-plate locking position and a slide-plate-unlocking position;

the latch actuator is secured to, carried by and projects from the coin-token gauging member, said latch actuator normally and yieldably urging the latch into abutting engagement with a surface of the slide-plate, said actuator also translating selective longitudinal movement of the gauging member to pivotal movement of the latch away from engagement with the aforesaid surface of the slideplate; and

means normally urging the gauging member to its fully retracted position.

2. A coin chute as called for in claim 1, wherein said slide plate includes a latch-keeper, and wherein said latch is movable into and out of engagement with said latch-keeper for selectively controlling the overall movement of said slide-plate.

3. A coin chute as called for in claim 2, wherein said latch-keeper comprises a latch-receptive opening in said slide-plate intermediate its length.

4. A coin chute as called for in claim 3, wherein the latch comprises a generally L-shaped member including a first leg having a free end hingedly mounted relative to the frame and a second leg having a free outer end normally engaging the aforesaid surface of the slide-plate and dimensioned to be received within the latch-receptive opening thereof.

5. A coin chute as called for in claim 4, wherein the latch includes a third leg disposed in spaced parallelism with the opposite side of the first leg from which the second leg projects, said third leg being disposed in substantial spaced parallelism with that surface of the slide-plate which is normally engaged by the free outer end of the second leg.

6. A coin chute as called for in claim 1, wherein longitudinal movement of said gauging member, when induced by the presence of authentic coin tokens in said slide-plate, advances said latch-actuator for effecting pivotal movement of said latch from a slide-platelocking to a slide-plate-unlocking position.

7. A coin chute as called for in claim 1, wherein said latch-actuator comprises a stiff, wire-like filament which is longitudinally rigid and transversely resilient.

8. A coin chute as called for in claim 7, wherein said latch-actuator terminates in a hook-like member adapted to selectively engage the third leg of the latch incident to retraction of the coin-token engaging memher.

9. A coin chute as called for in claim 8, wherein that portion of the latch actuator immediately adjacent the hook-like member includes an elevated bight or abutment defined by an upwardly inclined leading portion and a downwardly inclined trailing portion, each of said portions adapted to selectively engage the third leg of the latch incident to advancement and retraction of the coin-token engaging member.

10. A coin chute as called for in claim 8, wherein said latch includes a closed loop depending therefrom, wherein said actuator includes an upwardly disposed bight having a rising edge adapted to engage said loop, and wherein the free end of said actuator terminates in an open hook adapted to releasably receive said loop.

11. A coin chute as called for in claim 7, which includes a filament guide secured to, carried by and projecting from the frame, wherein said filament is-slidably engaged by said guide and is longitudinally movable relative thereto.

12. A coin chute as called for in claim 1, wherein said gauging member is resiliently secured relative to said frame for substantial free movement relative thereto.

13. A coin chute as called for in claim 1, wherein the gauging member comprises a centrally disposed, floating, measuring block having opposite side edges adapted to be engaged one each by the peripheral edge of each of a pair of advancing coin-tokens.

14. A coin chute as called for in claim 13, wherein each coin token engaging side edge of the measuring block comprises a V-notch defined by a pair of converging tapers terminating in an elongate, transversely extending throat adapted to receive the edge of a cointoken to a certain, ascertainable depth which is a function of the diameter and thickness thereof.

15. A coin chute as called for in claim 13, which includes an abutment member on either side of and transversely spaced from each side of the measuring block defining with said block a coin-token receptive channel.

16. A coin chute as called for in claim 15, wherein said abutment members are transversely adjustable relative to said measuring block for altering the width of the coin-token receptive channel.

17. A coin chute as called for in claim 16, wherein each coin token receptive channel is adjustable to accept a plurality of coin tokens in vertically stacked, face-to-face relationship.

18. A coin chute as called for in claim 15, which includes means disposed for continuous engagement with one coin token receptive side edge of the measuring block, restricting transverse movement thereof and wherein coin-tokens are advanced into and engage only the other coin token receptive side edge of said measuring block.

19. A coin chute as called for in claim 13, which includes:

an elongate, longitudinally extending guide plate secured to, carried by and depending from said frame,

means guiding coin tokens from the slide-plate to said guide plate;

means secured to, carried by and projecting from said slide-plate for advancing said coin-tokens; and

a channel divider in longitudinal alignment with said measuring block intermediate the frame and said mounting plate.

20. A coin chute as called for in claim 1, wherein said gauging member and latch actuator comprise, respectively:

a measuring block having a transversely extending bearing surface adapted to slide upon the frame of said coin chute, and opposite, coin token-receptive side edges disposed substantially normal to said bearing surface; and

an elongate, stiff, longitudinally rigid, transversely resilient filament secured to, carried by and longitudinally projecting from said measuring block, having a free end adapted to slidingly engage said latch and an abutmentmember spaced inwardly from said free end adapted to abuttingly engage said latch upon axial advancement of said gauging member.

21. A coin chute as called for in claim 20, wherein one end of the filament terminates in an upstanding portion substantially normal to the axis of said coin chute; and wherein said measuring block includes means intermediate said coin token receptive side edges for receiving said upstanding portion.

22. A coin chute as called for in claim 20, wherein the said bearing surface includes a longitudinally extending filament-receptive channel.

23. A coin chute as called for in claim 21, wherein said upstanding portion terminates in an open-ended hook.

24. A coin chute called for in claim 20 which includes means projecting from the frame for slidably supporting the filament, wherein the free end of the filament resiliently urges the latch into abutting engagement with theaforesaid surface of the slide-plate and wherein the other end of the filament urges the aforesaid bearing surface into abutting engagement with the frame.

25. As a new article of manufacture, a coin-token gauging member and latch actuator for use in combination with the slide and slide-latch of a coin-chute, comprising:

Y a measuring block having a pair of opposite side edges, upper and lower edges substantially normal to said side edges, and front and rear surfaces substantially normal to each of said edges, wherein each of said side edges comprises a coin token engaging member defined by a pair of converging tapers which terminate in an elongate, transversely extending throat adapted to receive the edge of a coin token to a certain, ascertainable depth which is a function of the diameter and thickness thereof, and wherein said upper edge defines a transversely extending, substantially flat bearing surface; and an elongate, stiff, longitudinally rigid, transversely resilient filament secured to and carried by said measuring block intermediate the side edges thereof and projecting substantially axially outward from the front surface thereof, said filament having a free outer end which terminates in a hook-like member, wherein that portion immediately adjacent the hook-like member includes an elevated, latch engaging bight or abutment defined by an upwardly inclined leading portion and a downwardly I inclined trailing portion.

' 26. An article as called for in claim 25, wherein said bearing surface includes an axially extending, filamentreceptive channel, wherein that end of the filament remote from the hook-like member terminates in an upstanding leg substantially normal to the bearing surface, and wherein the rear surface of said measuring block includes means for receiving and anchoring said leg relative to said block.

27. An article as called for in claim 26, wherein said upstanding leg terminates in an open-ended hook which overhangs the bottom edge of said measuring block. 

1. In a coin chute of the type which includes a frame; a cointoken receptive slide-plate reciprocably carried by the frame for longitudinal movement from retracted to advanced positions; a slide-plate latch controlling the advanced-position movement of the slide plate; a coin-token gauging member controlling the operational characteristics of said latch; and a latch actuator, wherein: the coin-token gauging member is disposed in interfering relationship with and is longitudinally movable from a fully retracted position in response to engagement by a coin-token carried by the slide plate; said latch is pivotally mounted relative to said frame for movement between a normal, slide-plate-locking position and a slide-plate-unlocking position; the latch actuator is secured to, carried by and projects from the coin-token gauging member, said latch actuator normally and yieldably urging the latch into abutting engagement with a surface of the slide-plate, said actuator also translating selective longitudinal movement of the gauging member to pivotal movement of the latch away from engagement with the aforesaid surface of the slide-plate; and means normally urging the gauging member to its fully retracted position.
 2. A coin chute as called for in claim 1, wherein said slide plate includes a latch-keeper, and wherein said latch is movable into and out of engagement with said latch-keeper for selectively controlling the overall movement of said slide-plate.
 3. A coin chute as called for in claim 2, wherein said latch-keeper comprises a latch-receptive opening in said slide-plate intermediate its length.
 4. A coin chute as called for in claim 3, wherein the latch comprises a generally L-shaped member including a first leg having a free end hingedly mounted relative to the frame and a second leg having a free outer end normally engaging the aforesaid surface of the slide-plate and dimensioned to be received within the latch-receptive opening thereof.
 5. A coin chute as called for in claim 4, wherein the latch includes a third leg disposed in spaced parallelism with the opposite side of the first leg from which the second leg projects, said third leg being disposed in substantial spaced parallelism with that surface of the slide-plate which is normally engaged by the free outer end of the second leg.
 6. A coin chute as called for in claim l, wherein longitudinal movement of said gauging member, when induced by the presence of authentic coin tokens in said slide-plate, advances said latch-actuator for effecting pivotal movement of said latch from a slide-plate-locking to a slide-plAte-unlocking position.
 7. A coin chute as called for in claim 1, wherein said latch-actuator comprises a stiff, wire-like filament which is longitudinally rigid and transversely resilient.
 8. A coin chute as called for in claim 7, wherein said latch-actuator terminates in a hook-like member adapted to selectively engage the third leg of the latch incident to retraction of the coin-token engaging member.
 9. A coin chute as called for in claim 8, wherein that portion of the latch actuator immediately adjacent the hook-like member includes an elevated bight or abutment defined by an upwardly inclined leading portion and a downwardly inclined trailing portion, each of said portions adapted to selectively engage the third leg of the latch incident to advancement and retraction of the coin-token engaging member.
 10. A coin chute as called for in claim 8, wherein said latch includes a closed loop depending therefrom, wherein said actuator includes an upwardly disposed bight having a rising edge adapted to engage said loop, and wherein the free end of said actuator terminates in an open hook adapted to releasably receive said loop.
 11. A coin chute as called for in claim 7, which includes a filament guide secured to, carried by and projecting from the frame, wherein said filament is slidably engaged by said guide and is longitudinally movable relative thereto.
 12. A coin chute as called for in claim 1, wherein said gauging member is resiliently secured relative to said frame for substantial free movement relative thereto.
 13. A coin chute as called for in claim 1, wherein the gauging member comprises a centrally disposed, floating, measuring block having opposite side edges adapted to be engaged one each by the peripheral edge of each of a pair of advancing coin-tokens.
 14. A coin chute as called for in claim 13, wherein each coin token engaging side edge of the measuring block comprises a V-notch defined by a pair of converging tapers terminating in an elongate, transversely extending throat adapted to receive the edge of a coin-token to a certain, ascertainable depth which is a function of the diameter and thickness thereof.
 15. A coin chute as called for in claim 13, which includes an abutment member on either side of and transversely spaced from each side of the measuring block defining with said block a coin-token receptive channel.
 16. A coin chute as called for in claim 15, wherein said abutment members are transversely adjustable relative to said measuring block for altering the width of the coin-token receptive channel.
 17. A coin chute as called for in claim 16, wherein each coin token receptive channel is adjustable to accept a plurality of coin tokens in vertically stacked, face-to-face relationship.
 18. A coin chute as called for in claim 15, which includes means disposed for continuous engagement with one coin token receptive side edge of the measuring block, restricting transverse movement thereof and wherein coin-tokens are advanced into and engage only the other coin token receptive side edge of said measuring block.
 19. A coin chute as called for in claim 13, which includes: an elongate, longitudinally extending guide plate secured to, carried by and depending from said frame, means guiding coin tokens from the slide-plate to said guide plate; means secured to, carried by and projecting from said slide-plate for advancing said coin-tokens; and a channel divider in longitudinal alignment with said measuring block intermediate the frame and said mounting plate.
 20. A coin chute as called for in claim 1, wherein said gauging member and latch actuator comprise, respectively: a measuring block having a transversely extending bearing surface adapted to slide upon the frame of said coin chute, and opposite, coin token-receptive side edges disposed substantially normal to said bearing surface; and an elongate, stiff, longitudinally rigid, transversely resilient filament secured to, carried by and longitudinally projecting from said measuring block, having a free end adapted to slidingly engage said latch and an abutment member spaced inwardly from said free end adapted to abuttingly engage said latch upon axial advancement of said gauging member.
 21. A coin chute as called for in claim 20, wherein one end of the filament terminates in an upstanding portion substantially normal to the axis of said coin chute; and wherein said measuring block includes means intermediate said coin token receptive side edges for receiving said upstanding portion.
 22. A coin chute as called for in claim 20, wherein the said bearing surface includes a longitudinally extending filament-receptive channel.
 23. A coin chute as called for in claim 21, wherein said upstanding portion terminates in an open-ended hook.
 24. A coin chute as called for in claim 20 which includes means projecting from the frame for slidably supporting the filament, wherein the free end of the filament resiliently urges the latch into abutting engagement with the aforesaid surface of the slide-plate and wherein the other end of the filament urges the aforesaid bearing surface into abutting engagement with the frame.
 25. As a new article of manufacture, a coin-token gauging member and latch actuator for use in combination with the slide and slide-latch of a coin-chute, comprising: a measuring block having a pair of opposite side edges, upper and lower edges substantially normal to said side edges, and front and rear surfaces substantially normal to each of said edges, wherein each of said side edges comprises a coin token engaging member defined by a pair of converging tapers which terminate in an elongate, transversely extending throat adapted to receive the edge of a coin token to a certain, ascertainable depth which is a function of the diameter and thickness thereof, and wherein said upper edge defines a transversely extending, substantially flat bearing surface; and an elongate, stiff, longitudinally rigid, transversely resilient filament secured to and carried by said measuring block intermediate the side edges thereof and projecting substantially axially outward from the front surface thereof, said filament having a free outer end which terminates in a hook-like member, wherein that portion immediately adjacent the hook-like member includes an elevated, latch engaging bight or abutment defined by an upwardly inclined leading portion and a downwardly inclined trailing portion.
 26. An article as called for in claim 25, wherein said bearing surface includes an axially extending, filament-receptive channel, wherein that end of the filament remote from the hook-like member terminates in an upstanding leg substantially normal to the bearing surface, and wherein the rear surface of said measuring block includes means for receiving and anchoring said leg relative to said block.
 27. An article as called for in claim 26, wherein said upstanding leg terminates in an open-ended hook which overhangs the bottom edge of said measuring block. 